My First Christmas by JJ

My Christmas week was very eventful. Two days before Christmas Grandma and Grandpa Bell came and picked me up and drove me all the way to the Bay Area. Grandpa and Grandma said that I was a very good boy and very close to perfect for the whole 8 hour ride. Mommy and Daddy got 1.5 days to themselves. They missed me but enjoyed the time alone.
On Christmas Eve I spent the evening at Great Aunt-Kits' and Uncle Dennis' house where a wonderful dinner was prepared and a great family photo was taken. On Christmas morning I helped open my presents at Grandpa and Grandma Bell's, but got pretty tired after the first few. Mommy and Daddy had to open the rest up by themselves. I then traveled over to Nana T's house for lunch and to open more presents. My milk suited me well, but I will be excited to eat some of the great food Nana T prepared next year. My last stop was over at Titi Mariya's house where dinner was prepared and my big cousins were running around playing with their brand new toys!
I stayed in the Bay Area for 5 extra days after Christmas with Daddy and Mommy. It was very relaxing and fun spending time with family 24/7! I even got to meet Uncle T's new puppy, Manny. Another highlight was celebrating Aunt Kits birthday! What a great 1st Christmas!

JJ's Thanksgiving Week!

JJ had a long, fun, and eventful thanksgiving week, that all began on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. JJ, his Dad, and Grandma drove from San Diego to Hollywood to have dinner with Cousin Grant. He then continued on the 5 freeway to arrive in the Bay Area at 0145 am on Monday morning.On Monday Grandma enjoyed a whole day with JJ. Monday night JJ had Uncle Dennis, Aunt Kit, Uncle T and Uncle Matt over as Dinner Guest. On Tuesday morning JJ and Daddy picked Mommy up from the airport after she got off of work at 1130am. JJ then enjoyed time a Nana T's(Jonnique's Mom) house on Tuesday where Nana T prepared an early Thanksgiving Feast for all of her children that were in town. JJ enjoyed spending time with cousins, Aunt's, and Uncles that Tuesday night. JJ then traveled on Wednesday with Momma,Daddy, Grandpa Jim, and Grandma Donna all the way to Ashland, Oregon to meet Daddys' extended family. JJ was the life of the party on Thanksgiving Day being passed from Cousin to Cousin! JJ then drove from Ashland, Oregon to Sacramento, California to meet some dear friends of his Parents for dinner. Later he returned to his Grandparents' to sleep from a day of travel. JJ then spent all day on Saturday back at Nana T's house. Last but not least, JJ met his maternal Great Grandmother Briggs for the 1st time on Sunday, before heading back to San Diego. With all this being written you would think JJ, Mommy, and Daddy were stressed out with the extensive and extreme traveling. To all of their surprise JJ was a happy and great traveler. Eventhough, he was entertained by Mommy, Daddy, and/or Grandma Donna in the back seat the majority of the time.

Mommy and Daddy was so Thankful this Thanksgiving to spend it with all of their family and with a Happy, Healthy, and Handsome Baby named JJ!

JJ's Dedication

In biblical time, it was a very big deal to bless and anoint your first-born child in front of many witnesses, especially if it was a son. In fact there were laws that required every firstborn male to be set apart to God because they were considered holy and therefore symbolically belonged to the Lord. When Jesus was dedicated the Bible says that Joseph and Mary marveled at what was said about him....

Our own little JJ was dedicated to the Lord at our church service in San Diego today. It was a proud moment for Wes and I. We presented JJ to the Lord and stood before a congregation of witnesses as a public declaration of our desire to raise JJ in such a way that is honoring and pleasing to God.

JJ, sweet baby boy...we pray the below scripture for you ....

("When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord they returned to Galilee...And the child grew, and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.")